Givin Thanks

While there ARE all the traditional things that I am full of Thanks for this Holiday Season, I can't help but be overwhelmed by Thanks for the common, every day stuff that I usually take for granted.

I'm thankful for a husband who picks up the dog-dookie as his regular chore. Seriously, I would have had to either sell the dog or move a long time ago as that I NOT something I can stomach. Gimme a loaded diaper, an unidentifyable leftover from this past Spring excavated from the deep recesses of the fridge, or even a backed up toilet-I can sail through it. But dog mess? Yah, I'm good.

I'm thankful that my kids play together so well-MOST days-ok, SOME days-ok, ok, on rare occasions like these~



I'm thankful that my son is SO funny, creative, and LOVES to jump off of things. Yup-he threw a mesh bag up to the 1970's popcorn/asbestos ceiling and it stuck, FORCING him to throw his ball at a number of times before knocking it down.

I'm thankful that my kids are friendly, accepting, and get along with OTHER kids. More days than not, there are other people's kids in my home -over for playdates and American Girl Tea Parties and to enjoy the time with our kids. I'm also thankful that when our kids get invited to other people's homes, the parents comment favorably on their behavior. I find it ODD that they can run, jump, scream, laugh hysterically, pull pranks, drop sticky stuff on the carpet, tease the dog, taunt the baby, knock stuff off the walls, wipe their hands on clothes, ATTEMPT to talk back, snear at their sister, poke their brother, and generally act like zoo animals while they home, yet always seem to pull out 'Please', and 'Thank you', and following house rules, being considerate of others and rules, and conduct themselves as if they are visiting The Queen of England while at SOMEONE ELSE'S home.

And, yes, I am thankful for that as well.
It's all a Day In The Life~
Tina

Kool Kiddos

I'm sure most people think their kids are the most amazing, but I'm POSITIVE mine are! Just check these out:

That's our Zippy Zoe-She's SUCH a GREAT baby! She's ALWAYS up for a party, an adventure, and a giggle-or just chillin in the high chair with your baba and Sister's High School Musical disc! LOVE that girl!

This is our Claire about to kiss a Banana Slug. I took my Brownie Troop on a 'Beach Bash Campout' (yes, it DID rain, thank you very much) last weekend in the San Mateo mountains. The area is crawling with these slugs and there's a tradition that you MUST kiss one to be in the Banana Slug Club-and of course you'd want to be, right?-so Claire got right in there! She's SUCH a great friend to everyone and has quite an infectious laugh!

Claire wanted to be Dorothy from Wizard Of Oz for Halloween-when we found this little costume at Target, she INSISTED that Zoe be that too. Aren't they just The Cutest?!





Now, Gus---a.k.a. The Gussinator---is our Wild Child! While he didn't do much for his first year of life, once he hit 1, he climbed up to the tallest point he could reach and jumped off and hasn't stopped since. He LOVES to read-especially Capt'n Underpants-, tell knock-knock jokes, and play Gameboy. He's funny, creative, impatient, and FULL OF LIFE!

He, of course, was an alien for Halloween and had a speaking part in the Thanksgiving Play-Turkey's Go On Strike.

This kid SERIOUSLY cracks me up!!!

The other day, coming back from a day trip to Monterey to see our GREAT friends Auntie Sonja and Mitch, he blurts out-OUT OF THE BLUE, FROM THE BACK OF THE VAN, WHILE I'M DRIVING-"Mom! I need a glass jar, some ping-pong balls, and a roll of duct tape-right now!"
The other morning, I had the kids cleaning their room while I was making some calls and he bursts into my office:
him: Mom, remember when you gave Claire and me hot cocoa in bed?
me: yes?.....
him: I forgot to give you the cup back-here you go~

Can YOU say 'Penicillian In A Cup'?! Yup, that's mold~nice!!!


And, for today, I finish with this:
It's Sunday morning-kids are playing Monoply at the table, Zoe is teaching Daddy how to read in Spanish, house is filled with the scent of the 14 banana breads we made yesterday mixed with essence of dog, diapers, daily activities, and I can't wait to announce our big trip to Costco today-they HATE this and you'll be able to hear their wailing and complaining from wherever on this great planet you currently are.
Just another Day In The Life~
Tina